Euro MP says new rules will harm food production

EAST Devon euro-MP Neil Parrish has backed tighter control of pesticides, but has hit out at a draconian approach by the European Union that he says will harm UK food production.

EAST Devon euro-MP Neil Parrish has backed tighter control of pesticides, but has hit out at a 'draconian' approach by the European Union that he says will harm UK food production.

He says that the latest impact assessment by the UK's Pesticides Safety Directorate shows that eurocrat rules on plant protection products will cut crop production.

The PSD argues that products that control diseases in potatoes, oilseed rape, lettuces, peas, spinach, celery, onions and carrots could all be lost.

He said: "The true extent of the parliament's vote is now being realised. Products that we rely on to control vital crops are going to be lost.

"Food security in Europe and across the developing world is becoming a major issue, yet the parliament has voted to make food production more difficult.

"Falling food yields can only mean rising prices in the weekly food shop.

"The PSD has accepted that their report is far from conclusive because there is still no clear definition of an endocrine disruptor. All along, we have called for a comprehensive European Commission impact assessment, yet one has not been provided. While this report gives a good indication, the full impact of the EU's new pesticides rules must be detailed by the commission.